Automatic sequence control for reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Automatic sequence control circuit for magnetic tape reproducing apparatus in which the tape has beginning and end clear leaders and an opaque intermediate portion having one or more recorded programs. The tape may have more than one recorded program, each being respectively preceded and followed by primary and end-ofprogram control signals. An end-of-tape control signal may follow the last program.

United States Patent Jenkins 1 1 Mar. 4, 1975 [54] AUTOMATIC SEQUENCECONTROL FOR 3,344,416 9/1967 Harford 360/72 REPRODUCING APPARATUS3,423,743 1/1969 Silvermzm... 360/72 3,467,949 9/1969 Moore 1 36/72inventor: J J ns, Towanda, 111. 3,614,453 10/1971 Johnson... 360/74Assigneez International Tapetmnics 3,621,152 11/1971 Billings 36/72 Coration, Bloom' t 111. 0m mg on Primary E.rm11inerA1fred H. Eddleman 1Filedi 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firn1-Davis, McCaleb & Lucas [21] Appl.No.: 344,180

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. c1 360/72, 360/71, 360/74 Automatic sequencecontrol circuit for magnetic p 51 1111. c1. Gllb 15/48, G1 lb 15/02reproducing apparatus in which the p has beginning [58] Field of Search360/72, 74, 71, 96, 83, and end eleer leaders and an p q intermediate P360/93, 12, 13; 242/199, 197, 186, 195; tion having one or more recordedprograms. The tape 35/35 C may have more than one recorded program, eachbeing respectively preceded and followed by primary 5 References Ci dand end-0f-program control signals. An end-of-tz1pe UNITED STATESPATENTS control signal may follow the last program.

3.206.133 9/1965 Forster et a1. 360/72 32 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures ricow/e01 m czra 11 C22, 0225 426 R2303 1: 14 2 10/6 k zosgz 9234a (/2207mag/ ur C224 COMPONENT I (507 6222:: R232 405 404 R236 267/!1 4 a rC0fi'/%/7GIVAL [R206 MTEUOR "1" DETECTOR J 9 -1|- wv-'w-+ ummwy C309 Q IK Iz i.

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FIG-12 AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE CONTROL FOR REPRODUCING APPARATUS A primarycontrol signal detector blocks the gate and stops tape movement when aprimary control signal is detected. An end-of-tape control signaldetector initiates the automatic rewind sequence when an end-oftapecontrol signal is detected. An end-of-program control signal detectorinitiates the automatic rewindsequence when an end-of-program controlsignal is detected. And, when activated by the fast forward switch, abroad band detector initiates a sequence for braking the tape to acomplete stop, and restarting and running it forward at play speed, andthen restopping at the next primary control signal ready to play thenext recorded program.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS H ABLE HEAD AND UPRIGHTFRONT-MOUNTED CASSETTE, now US. Pat. No. 3,800,323 issued Mar.

Jenkins application Ser. No. 341,769, filed Mar. 15, 1973 on TAPETRANSPORT WITH AUTOMATIC TORQUE MOTOR BRAKE, now US. Pat. No.

3,809,329 issued May 7, 1974; and

Jenkins application Ser. No. 349,677, filed Apr. 10, 1973 on CASSETTETAPE TRANSPORT WITH UNI- VERSALLY ADJUSTABLE HEAD AND UPRIGHTFRONT-MOUNTED CASSETTE now US. Pat. No. 3,833,925. I

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to reproducingapparatus for magnetic tape and particularly to such apparatus for usein commercial radio broadcasting where it is wellestablished practice topre-record a wide variety of programs, from short time announcements andcommercials to entire hour-long entertainment and educational packages.Some radio stations are one hundred percent automated, using onlypre-recorded material.

To avoid the relatively inflexible scheduling which would result if theprograms for an entire day were recorded on one or more large tapes,individual cassettes and small reels are often used, each having asingle recorded program, A full days schedule will, of course, requiremany such cassettes or reels, and the equipment for handling them on acompletely automatic basis is substantial, complex, and costly. Inbroadcasting operations which are not so fully automated, but which makesubstantial use of pre-recorded material, the format for a day may bescheduled by means of a written list of tape or reel numbers and theprecise playing times for each. In such cases the operator or engineerspends much of his time selecting cassettes and readying them for playwhile others are playing. Tape reproducers are almost always used inpairs, so one can be readied for play while the other is playing. Anaddi BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of this inventionis to provide magnetic tape reproducing apparatus having an automaticsequence control circuit enabling any specific one of several programson a, tape to be placed quickly and positively in ready-start condition,and enabling the tape to return automatically to a beginning positionafter playing a single program, or after playing the entire tape, asselected by the operator.

Another object is to provide magnetic tape reproducing apparatus havingan automatic sequence control circuit which is effective on tapes withbeginning and end clear leaders, and on tapes with or withoutprogram-identifying and end-of-tape control signals.

Another object is to provide magnetic tape reproducing apparatus havingan automatic sequence control circuit with the following automaticsequence and mode capabilities under the operators control:

a. Move the tape forward at play speed with the audio activated to playa single program, and stop at a primary control signal in position readyto play the next succeeding program, thereby establishing a play mode inresponse to momentary actuation of a start switch;

b. Move the tape at fast rewind speed with the audio deactivated, andstop at the first primary control signal on the tape, or at the end ofthe beginning clear leader, as selected by the operator, therebyestablishing a rewind mode in response to momentary actuation of arewind switch;

c. Move the tape forward at play speed with the audio activated to playa single one of a series of programs on the tape, and then automaticallychange to rewind mode and return the tape to a selected restart positionat the beginning of the tape, thereby establishing a play and returnmode in response to momentary actuation of the start switch; v

d. Move the tape forward at play speed with the audio activated, to playthe last or only program on the tape, and then automatically change torewind mode and return the tape to a selected restart position at thebeginning of the tape, thereby establishing another kind of play andreturn mode in response to momentary actuation of the start switch;

e. Move the tape at fast forward speed with the audio deactivated, andstop at a primary control signal preceding the next succeeding program,thereby establishing a fast forward mode to skip a single program inresponse to momentary actuation of a fast forward switch; and

and the pinch roller presses the tape into frictionalspeed-limitingengagement with the capstan; to a fast forward positionwhere the head but not the pinch roller engages the tape; and to an offposition where neither the head nor the pinch roller effectively engagesthe tape.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined recorder and reproducer,illustrating the kind of tape reproducing apparatus in which the presentinvention may be applied;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view of FIG. 1 with portions stripped awayto expose the tape transport showing supports for a tape cassette, atransducing head, a capstan, a pinch roller, a light source, and a lightsensor, the apparatus being shown in OFF mode;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 2, in play mode;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, in fast forward or scanning mode;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line55; I

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 2 as seen in the direction of the arrows6-6;

' FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 1, with some forwardportions removed, showing the transducer head and its immediatesupporting components;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 2,taken-along line 88, showing the light source and light sensor onopposite sides of the tape;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a magnetic tape with various operatingcomponents of the apparatus positioned along the tape intermediate runbetween forward and rewind reels; 7

FIG. 9a is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 9;

FIGS. l0, l1 and 12 are control circuit diagrams providingautomaticsequencing of the apparatus shown in theprecedingfigures; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration showing the relationship of FIGS.10, 11 and 12.

Like parts are referred to by like reference'characters throughout thefigures of the drawings.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The mechanical arrangement of the reproducingapparatus illustrated is identical with that shown in theabove-identified U.S.-Pat. No. 3,800,323; For consistency, the samereference characters are used in the present description for the majormechanical components. For a detailed description, and to avoidunnecessary repetition of non-inventive details here, reference 26 and areproducing portion 28. The reproducing portion is of special interestin connection with the present invention.

The tape transport 29 includes a main motor supporting frame generallydesignated 30, a capstan motor 44, a forward torque motor 54, a rewindtorque motor 52, and a swing arm 76.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the motor supporting frame 30 isU-shaped in cross section. It has an upright forward wall 34, an uprightrearward wall 36, and a bottom wall 38 rigidly interconnecting the twoupright walls.

I A capstan 40, driven by motor 44, extends forwardly beyond forwardwall 34, being held by an extended bearing member supported between thewalls 34, 36. A pair of reel-engaging spindles 50 and 48 extendforwardly from wall 34, being directly driven by torque motors 54 and52, respectively, mounted between walls 34, 36. The capstan motor andtorque motors are described in detail in the above-identified U.S. Pat.No. 3,801,043. Reference may be had to that application for details ofthe motor mounting arrangement which form no part of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the forward wall 34 has a major upper frontsurface portion 56 and a minor lower front surface portion 58 disposedto support a cassette 60 in an upright operating position (shown inbroken lines in FIG. 5). Although the invention is here illustratedusing a cassette for compactness and handling convenience, areel-to-reel tape mounting may be used. The cassette illustratedconforms to the standards of the National Association of Broadcasters,so its dimensions and characteristics will not be repeated here. For thepurposes of the present description, the standard cassette has a plasticcase 62, a magnetic tape 64 with a central run 66 and opposite endswound upon reel hubs 70 and 68. When the cassette is in the uprightoperating position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, against the front surfaces ofwall 34, the hubs are engaged respectively with the torque motorspindles 50 and 48; the central run 66 istrained for movement betweencapstan 40 which extends through a standard opening in the case; and apair of locating pins 72 and 74, mounted on the front wall 34, will fitstandard detent openings in the case.

A swing arm generally designated 76 is U-shaped, having a pair ofrearwardly extending lever portions 78, 78 interconnected at theirforward, vertically movable ends by an upright cross member 84. Eachlever portion 78 is journaled about a pivot pin 82 outstanding from thebackwall 36 (FIG. 6) enabling the swing arm 76 to pivot up and downabout a horizontal axis determined by the pins. The central run 66 ofthe tape is also trained for'movement between the capstan 40 and a pinchroller 86, between a light source 256 and a light sensor264 (FIGS. 8 and9), and past transducing head means 88 (FIGS. 7, 9 and 9a).

The pinch roller 86, head 88, and light sensor (used for recording orreproducing, or both) are all carried on the forward side of the swingarm cross member 84.

Standard openings (not shown) are provided in the cassette case edgesenabling the pinch roller to engage the capstan, enabling the head toengage the tape, and enabling a clear light transmission path betweenelements 256 and 264 and through beginning and end clear leaders 400 and402 at the terminal portions of the tape.

As described in detail in the above-identified patent application Ser.No. 237,762, the swing arm 76 comprises a common support for the pinchroller 86, head 88, and light sensor 264, which is movable to threeoperating positions as follows: It is normally urged by biasing spring164 to an off position shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 where neither the headnot the pinch roller effectively engages the tape; it is moved byenergization of a full stroke main solenoid 170 to a play position shownin FIG. 3 where the head engages the tape and the pinch roller pressesthe tape into frictional, speedlimiting engagement with the capstan; andit is moved by energization of a partial stroke auxiliary solenoid 172to a fast forward/scanning position shown in FIG. 4 where the headengages the tape only lightly and the pinch roller is displaced slightlyupwardly to disengage the tape from the capstan.

The transducing head means, generally designated 88, preferablycomprises separate program and control heads 88a and 88b as shown inFIGS. 9, and 11. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 9a, the control and programheads are aligned with separate control and program tracks B and D,respectively. (Tracks A and C are omitted from FIG. 9 to simplify theschematic showing.) When the cassette is reversed, as is standardpractice, the heads 88a and 88b will be aligned with program and controltracks C and A, respectively. Throughout the drawings, and as best shownin FIG. 9, forward and play movement of the tape will be consideredtoward the right, and rearward or rewind movement will be consideredtoward the left.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ELECTRICAL OPERATING AND CONTROL CIRCUITS Asshown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, there are six operating relays K1 throughK6. Relay K4 establishes a play mode. Relay K2 establishes a rewindmode. Relay K3 establishes optional fast forward and scanning modes.Relays K5 and K4, when energized simultaneously, establish a run-to-cuemode which moves the tape forward and stops it in a position ready toplay the next recorded program. Relay K6 is effective at the operatorsoption to initiate a rewind mode automatically after playing any one ofa series of recorded programs. Relay K1 is effective at the operatorsoption to initiate a rewind mode at the end clear leader, andautomatically changes operation from rewind mode to run-to-cue mode whenthe tape rewinds to the beginning clear leader.

Electrodynamic braking means shown in FIG. 12 includes capacitors CSAand C3B for stopping the tape instantly when either relay K2 or K3 isdeenergized to terminate the rewind or fast forward mode. Thiselectrodynamic braking is the subject of the applicants above-identifiedUS. Pat. No. 3,809,329 on TAPE TRANSPORT WITH AUTOMATIC TORQUE MOTORBRAKE to which reference should be made for a detailed description.

A feature of the present invention is that the tape 64 is tensioned fromboth ends by energizing both torque motors 52 and 54 urging them inwinding directions, forimproved wrap of the tape about the head means88, during the play mode when tape speed is determined solely by thecapstan 40.

An important feature of the present invention is that it is useful withstandard tapes having the conventional beginning and end clear leaders400 and 402, respectively; it is additionally useful for tapes having aplurality of programs separated by recorded control signal means; and itis further useful in multiple program tapes where such control signalmeans comprises a primary control signal and an end-of-program controlsignal respectively preceding and following each recorded program.

Control signals are picked up by the control head 88b and amplified byamplifier 401. When the tape is moving at play speed, the primarycontrol signal 420 which may, for example, have a frequency of 639 Hz.,will be detected by the primary control signal detector 404. Theend-of-program control signal 422, for example, 167 Hz., will bedetected by the end-of-program detector 405. The end-of-tape controlsignal 424, for example, 1000 Hz., will be detected by the end-of-tapesignal detector 406. A broad band detector 407, activated when theapparatus is placed in either fast forward or scanning mode, will detectprimary or end-of-program signals at any tape speed because of its broadband characteristics.

Program signals are picked up by the program head 88a. Unless theamplifier 403 is disabled by an audio attenuator 408, it generatesprogram audio output signals which are transmitted to a use point suchas audio reproducing or broadcasting equipment (not shown). The audioattenuator 408 normally disables the amplifier 403 so it does notproduce any program audio output. However, during the play mode, theattenuator will be grounded and itself disabled, so a program audiooutput will be produced by the amplifier 403. Stripped of the doublenegative grammatical complexities in describing attenuating anattenuator, this simply means that the program amplifier 403 produces aprogram output signal only when the attenuator is grounded in the playmode. Program audio output from the amplifier 403,would be distorted ormeaningless in the rewind, fast forward, and scanning modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ELECTRICAL OPERATING AND CONTROL CIRCUITS Therelays K1-K6 are energized, through various control switches to bedescribed, by connections to a direct current electrical power sourceindicated by the ground and positive voltage symbols in FIGS. 10 and 11.In actual practice, the electrical power source for the components shownin FIG. 11 may be a 24 volt supply, and for some of the components shownin FIG. 10, it may be a 5 volt supply.

The control circuitry utilizes ground switching. A ground is suppliedthrough deck switch SW1 when a cassette is inserted in the play positionshown in FIG. 1. The cassette holds plunger 308 (FIG. 2) displacedinward to maintain switch SW1 closed. Plunger 308 likewise holds switchSW6 closed, thereby energizing capstan motor 44 through a circuit (notshown) to keep the capstan 40 rotating at all times that a cassette isin play position.

Ground is supplied through switch SW1 to the emit ter of an NPNtransistor 0203. This transistor may be considered broadly a gate whichis normally forwardlybiased to render it conductive by a positivepotential applied to the base, but is back-biased and renderednon-conductive by grounding the base. The collector, which in this caseis the output side of the transistor, is connected to a common holdingcircuit 410 for relays K2, K3 and K4, and is connectable throughnormally open rewind switch SW3 to energize rewind relay K2. Likewise,it is connectable through normally open play switch SW to'energize playrelay K4. And it is connectable through contacts 6 and 7 of run-to-cuerelay K5 to energize play relay K4 when transistor Q203 is forwardlybiased.

. If transistor Q203 is back-biased and therefore renderednon-conductive by grounding its base, any one of relays K2, K3 and K4which may be held energized through the holding circuit 410 will bedeenergized. Likewise, if transistor 0203 is back-biased, relay K2cannot be energized through switch SW3, and relay K4 cannot be energizedthrough switch SW5 or through contacts 6 and 7 of relay K5. As will beseen, the connection between the output side of transistor Q203 andrelay K4 via contacts 6 and 7 of relay K5 may be considered an auxiliaryholding circuit for relay K4 and is designated 412 in FIG. 11.

A normally open stop switch SW2 is effective when closed to ground thebase of the gate transistor Q203 to back-bias it and make itnon-conductive.

There arethree other connections to the base of the gate transistorQ203, each of which grounds the base to render the gate non-conductiveduring certain portions of the automatic operating sequences. One ofthese connections is to the output terminal 8 of the primary controlsignal detector 404. The second connection is to the collector oftransistor Q210 in the broad band detector 407. The third connection isto the output side of switch SW4. These connections to the detectormeans will be described in more detail with the description of FIG. 10.

Ground connections through switch SW1, which bypass the gate transistorQ203, are as follows: Ground connection through switch SW4 energizesrelay K3. Ground is made to the audio attenuator 408 through a groundcontrol circuit generally designated 414 and including contacts 14 and15 of relays K2, K3 and K5, contacts 15 and 16 of relay K4, and contacts1 7 and-l8 of relay K6. As will be seen, this ground control circuit 414serves a double function, also being part of a runto-cue holding circuitfor relay K5 during one automatic operating sequence. A groundconnection is also provided from switch SW1 to light-responsive relay Klvia a gate 416 which is made conductive by a signal from the lightsensor 264. The latter may, for example, by a Darlington photoresistor.The gate 416 may be any suitable transistor or cascade arrangement oftransistors to provide suitable operating potential to energize relay K1when light from the source 256 passes through either-tape end clearleader 400 or 402.

TORQUE MOTOR OPERATING AND CONTROL CIRCUIT Referring to FIG. 12, thetorque motor operating and control circuit, with the electrodynamicbraking referred to above, is schematically shown.

When the reproducing apparatus is in the play mode, and play relay K4 isenergized, the full stroke solenoid 170 is energized to swing thesupport arm 76 suff1 ward and rewind torque motors 54 and 52. When theplay relay K4 is energized, its movable contacts 18 and 21 are closedagainst stationary contacts 19 and 22 respectively. This energizes therewind motor 52 through resistor R109 and contacts 18 and 19 of relayK4. It likewise energizes the forward torque motor 54 through resistorR108 and contacts 21 and 22. Thus, in the play mode, the two torquemotors are energized to tension the opposite ends of the tape and wrapthe tape firmly about the program and control heads 88a and 88b. Withthe two torque motors neutralizing one another in this manner, the tapeis then moved in a forward play direction by its frictional drivenengagement with the capstan.

When the reproducing apparatus is placed in fast forward mode byenergizing relay K3, this places its movable contacts 18 and 21 againststationary contacts 19 and 22 respectively. As previously described,this also energizes the partial stroke solenoid 172, disengaging thetape from the capstan, while leaving the heads 88a and 88b in lightcontact with the tape. This energizes the forward torque motor 54through contacts 18 and 19 of relay K3 and contacts 20 and 21 of relayK4, moving the tape at full speed not limited by the capstan, in aforward direction. At the same time capacitor C38 is charged throughdiode CR105, resistor R104, and contacts 21 and 22 of relay K3. When thefast forward mode is subsequently terminated by deenergizing relay K3,this returns its movable contacts 18 and 21 to its back contacts 17 and20 respectively. At that instant, capacitor C3B, charged as aforesaid,begins to discharge through rewind motor 52, quickly bringing the tapeto a stop through an electrodynamic braking action. The dischargecircuit includes contacts 20 and 21 of relay K3, contacts 17 and 18 ofrelay K2, and contacts 17 and 18 of relay K4.

When the reproducing apparatus is placed in rewind mode by energizingrelay K2, neither of the solenoids or 172 will be energized, enablingthe pinch roller and head to be moved completely out of engagement withthe tape by the action of biasing spring 164. This will also move itscontacts 18 and 21 against stationary contacts 19 and 22 respectively.Rewind motor 52 will be energized through a circuit including contacts18 and 19 of relay K2 and contacts 17 and 18 of relay K4, moving thetape backward at full speed. At the same time, capacitor C3A will becharged through a circuit including diode CR104, resistor R103, andcontacts 21 and 22 of relay K2. Subsequently, upon termination of therewind mode and deenergization of relay coil K2, capacitor C3A willdischarge through the forward motor 54, tending to drive it in a tapewinding direction and stop movement of the tape instantly. This discharge circuit includes contacts 20 and 21 of relay K2, contacts 17 and18 of relay K3, and contacts 20 and 21 of relay K4.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 9a, programs such as desig nated P, etc. may berecorded at intervals along the tape in program track B. Control signalmeans 418 are recorded in track D between the recorded programs P. Thecontrol signal means include primary control signals 420 having afrequency of 639 Hz., recorded on the tape at the beginning of eachprogram. Each primary control signal comprises a pulse, preferably of adefinite duration, for example, three-fourths of a second. In addition,the control signal means includes an end-of-program control signal 422recorded on the tape at the end of each program at a frequency of 167Hz. After the last recorded program, and prior to the end clear leader402, an end-of-tape control signal 424 is recorded at 1000 Hz. Allcontrol signals, as well as the program signals are recorded at playspeed determined by the capstan 40.

When the tape is moving, control signals are picked up by the controlhead 88b, amplified by amplifier 401 and then conducted into detectormeans generally designated 426 which includes the previously mentionedprimary, end-of-program, end-of-tape, and broad band control signaldetectors 404, 405, 406 and 407, respectively.

The individual control signal detectors will now be described.

The specific details of the primary control signal detector 404 form nopart of the present invention and for this reason is shown onlyschematically. In practice, it may comprise an NE567V integrated circuithaving an input pin 3 coupled to the control signal amplifier 401through a capacitor C207. The output pin 8 is connected to the base ofthe gate transistor 0203 and, in the absence of a primary control signal420 it is forwardly biased by a positive potential through resistor R216which is connected to the positive side of the direct current powersource described. When a 639 Hz. primary control signal is detected, theoutput at pin 8 becomes grounded, thereby back'biasing transistor 0203and rendering it non-conductive.

A control signal protection circuit is provided to delay back-biasingthe gate transistor 0203 when a play mode is initiated by the switchSW5. This enables the tape to move beyond any residual primary controlsignal which may have been on the tape at the point where the play modewas initiated. Inasmuch as the primary control signal is of only limitedduration, preferably about three-fourths of a second, the required delayis of short duration and is provided as follows.

As stated, when the machine is in a stop-ready condition, gatetransistor 0203 is forwardly biased, that is, conductive, by a positiveconnection through resistor R216 to the base. Capacitor C208 isdischarged through resistor R213 and diode CR202 back to switch SW1through the ground control circuit 414 previously described. Thus, bothsides of capacitor C208 are grounded and it is completely discharged.

Next, assume the reproducing apparatus is started by energizing playrelay K4. This lifts the ground from the side of capacitor C208communicating with resistors R212 and R213. Assuming the tape had beenstarted in the middle of a primary control signal, that control signalis simply discarded to ground through diode CR201 and capacitor C208.Because the latter is discharged at this particular moment, diode CR201is conductive through it. At this same moment, capacitor CR208 begins tocharge through resistor R212. This is the start of a time delay periodof approximately one and onehalf seconds in which any residual primarycontrol signal is diverted from the input pin 3 of detector 404 to keepthe tape from stopping before it moves beyond such residual primarycontrol signal. It will be remembered that the control signal is analternating current signal and passes readily through capacitors C207and C208.

One and one-half seconds or so later, capacitor C208 is fully charged,above the potential at the input pin 3 of the primary control signaldetector 404. Whatever residual primary control signal may have beenunder the control head 88b when the play mode was initiated is now gone.Gate transistor 0203 is forwardly biased through resistor R216, and thisbias will not be changed until the next primary control signal reachesthe control head.

Next, the tape plays through the program. It passes the end-of-programcontrol signal to which the detector 404 is non-responsive, and reachesthe next primary control signal immediately following it. At this point,because capacitor C208 is fully charged above the potential at input pin3, the primary control signal cannot pass through diode CR201 to ground.Instead, it enters detector 404 at input pin 3, output pin 8 changes togrounded or negative state, and this back-biases transistor 0203 tonon-conductive condition, thereby deenergizing the holding circuit 410,deenergizing the play relay K4 and stopping the tape.

End-of-program control signal detector 405 is identical with thedetector 404 with the exception of the frequency selective componentsenabling it to generate an output signal in response to a 167 Hz.end-of-program control signal 422. Detector 405 is coupled to thecontrol signal amplifier 401 through a capacitor C213 and its outputconductor is normally biased positive in the same manner as pin 8 ofdetector 404. When an end-ofprogram control signal is detected, theoutput bias changes to negative or ground. This output back biasestransistor 0204 which in turn forwardly biases inverting transistor 0205which thus becomes conductive in the presence of an end-of-programcontrol signal thereby energizing relay K6.

The end-of-tape control signal detector 406 is coupleed to the amplifier401 through a capacitor C217 and is identical to the detectors 404 and405 except for the frequency selective components. The output ofdetector 406 is normally positive but in the presence of a 1000 Hz.end-of-tape control signal, its output becomes grounded or negative.This output back biases transistor 0206 which in turn forwardly biasesinverting transistor 0205 which becomes conductive and energizes relayK2.

BROAD BAND DETECTOR The broad band detector 407 is activated when thefast forward switch SW4 is closed to place the apparatus in fast forwardmode. This moves the tape rapidly in a forward direction withoutlimitation by the capstan. A broad band detector is advantageous indetecting a control signal during the fast forward mode because thedetected signal frequency varies with the tape speed which itself variesfrom point to point depending on the tension applied by the forwardtorque motor 54, the thickness of tape wrap on forward reel hub 70, andother factors such as frictional drag. For this reason, a specificfrequency detector such as 404, 405 or 406 would be unreliable orineffective.

As will be described, a major function of the broad band detector 407,when activated by closing fast forward switch SW4, is to provide acompletely automatic sequence in which the tape is run at fast forwardspeed while the audio is deactivated, stopped and restarted at playspeed determined by the capstan at the next succeeding end-of-programsignal, and stopped again at the immediately following primary controlsignal in position ready to play the next program. A fast forwardcontrol signal protection circuit is provided for the 11 broad banddetector to delay the slowing and stopping of tape in response to acontrol signal for a sufficient time to enable the tape to move beyond aresidual control signal which may be under the head at the moment thefast forward mode is initiated by switch SW4.

The control signal protection circuit for the broad band detector ishere shown as identical with the one described above for the detector404. It is especially important for the broad band detector whichresponds to the end-of-program control signal 422 because theend-of-program control signal may be considerably longer in durationthan the three-quarter second duration of the primary control signal420,-thereby increasing the likelihood that the fast forward switch SW4will be closed when some residual end-of-program signal is on the tapeunder the head 88b.

The broad band detector 407 will now be described in detail. Refer toFIGS. and 11. The level at the input is controlled by an adjustablepotentiometer R230 which is coupled to the base of a transistor 0208 bya capacitor C221. The'signal control protection circuit at the base oftransistor 0208 is identical to that previously described at the inputpin 3 of the primary control signal detector 404. The collector oftransistor 0208 is coupled to the base of transistor 0209 throughcapacitor C225. When the apparatus is in stop-ready condition transistor0209 is back-biased by a positive potential applied to its base throughresistor R237.

Referring back to the control signal protection for the broad banddetector, the detector is activated by closing fast forward switch SW4to initiate the fast forward mode. This discharges capacitor C222 bygrounding both sides, one side being connected directly to ground asshown in FIG. 10 and the other side being connected to ground throughswitches SW4 and SW1 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Assuming some residualcontrol signal on that portion of the tape under the control head 881;at the instant switch SW4 is closed, this control signal would be pickedup immediately after closing switch SW4 and would be shorted throughdiode CRS and capacitor C222 direct to ground. This marks the beginningofa time delay or control signal protection period during which thecontrol signal is diverted away from broad band detector inputtransistor 0208. At the same time, capacitor C222 begins to take acharge through resistor R231. It will be assumed for the presentexplanation that it takes a predetermined time X to charge capacitorC222.

When capacitor C222 is so charged, after such a time X, it blockstransmission of a control signal through diode CR205; however, the sizeof capacitor C222 is chosen so that after the time X, when C222 ischarged sufficiently to block further diversion of control signals toground, there will be no further residual control signal because thetape has moved any such control signals beyond the head and is moving atfast forward speed to bring the next control signal under the head.

PNP transistor 0209 remains back-biased through resistor R237.

When the next end-of-program control signal 422 reaches the control head88b, the signal will no longer be diverted to ground because of thecharge in capacitor C222. Instead, it will be applied to the base oftransistor 0208 to forward bias it. This, in turn, forward biasestransistor 0209. The resulting output signal passing through resistorR240 and through parallel diodes CR207 and CR208 is appliedsimultaneously to the bases of transistors 0210 and 0211 to forwardlybias them, and to capacitors C226 and C227, the latter beingsignificantly larger for a time delay purpose which will be described.By way of example, C226 and C227 may have capacities of 10 and 33 mfdrespectively.

At the instant transistors 0210 and 0211 become so forwardly biased,they start a sequence which turns gate transistor 0203 off long enoughto stop the tape, restart it, and re-stop it at the next primary controlsignal 420.

This sequential operation under the control of transistors 0210 and 0211is as follows. At the instant the output signal from transistor 0209 isapplied simultaneously to transistors 0210 and 0211 and capacitors C226and C227, the resulting forward bias of 0210 grounds the base of gatetransistor 0203 through main switch SW 1. This back biases transistor0203 and deenergizes relay k3 by blocking the ground connection throughthe common holding circuit 410 which had held relay K3 energized.

At the same instant that transistor 0203 is backbiased and renderednon-conductive through transistor 0210, transistor 0211 is likewiseforward-biased and energizes run-to-cue relay K5 by connecting it toground through contacts 17 and 18 of relay K1, diode CR211, contacts 14and 15 of relay K3, and main switch SW1. Although run-to-cue relay K5,when so energized, closes the K4 auxiliary holding circuit 412 throughcontacts 6 and 7 of K5, this does not result in energizing the playrelay K4 because that auxiliary holding circuit 412 is blocked fromground by transistor 0203 and remains so blocked as long as gatetransistor 0203 remains back-biased by ground potential from transistor0210.

When the end-of-program signal which generated the output signal throughtransistor 0209 ceases, transistors 0210 and 0211 will continue to beforward-biased by discharges from capacitors C226 and C227 respectively.The discharge from capacitor C226 will be of sufficient duration toenable the tape to come to a complete stop, this being almostinstantaneous as a result of the electrodynamic braking circuitdescribed in connection with FIG. 12.

The discharge from capacitor C226 will be completed sooner than thatfrom the larger capacitor C227. Therefore, transistor 0210 will returnto its normal back-biased condition and the gate transistor 0203 willreturn to its normal forward-biased or conductive condition to groundthe common holding circuit 410 substantially before the discharge ofcapacitor C227 is completed.

At the instant that gate transistor 0203 returns to its normallyforward-biased, conductive condition, play relay K4 is energized byconnection to ground through the auxiliary holding circuit 412 andcontacts 6 and 7 of relay K5 which had been held closed since transistor0211 was first forwardly biased by the output signal through transistor0209.

With relays K5 and K4 thus simultaneously energized, a run-to-cue modeis established and the tape moves forward at constant play speed,thereby enabling detectors 404, 405 and 406 to detect the specificfrequencies to which they are tuned.

If the next control signal, following change from fast forward torun-to-cue modes in response to an end-ofprogram signal as abovedescribed, is a primary control signal, the resulting output signalapplied to the base of gate transistor 0203 back-biases it, rendering itnonconductive, deenergizing play relay K4, and stopping the tape.

If, on the other hand, the next signal on the tape is an end-of-tapecontrol signal, instead of a primary control signal, this will bedetected by the end-of-tape control signal detector 406 and willgenerate an output signal to ground the base of transistor 0206 toback-bias it. Transistor 0206 in turn will drive inverting transistor0207, forwardly biasing it, to provide a ground connection which willenergize rewind relay K2 and initiate an automatic rewind sequence to bedescribed.

Summarzing operation of the broad band detector, it is activated inresponse to momentary closing of fast forward switch SW4. The fastforward control signal protection circuit diverts any residual controlsignal that may be under the control head for a short time enabling thetape to move any such residual signal past the head. Detection of thenext succeeding control signal forward-biases transistor 0209 and causesa first output signal to pass therethrough to the transistors 0210 and0211 and their associated small and large capacitors C226 and C227. Afirst output signal component through transistor 0210 blocks gatetransistor 0203 long enough to bring the tape to a complete stop andenable the electrodynamic braking to be effective. A second outputsignal component through transistor 0211 is effective, as soon as gatetransistor 0203 regains its forward bias, to energize both relays K andK4 to place the apparatus in run-to-cue mode. The tape is then stoppedwhen the detector 404 generates a second output signal in response tothe next primary control signal thereby grounding the base of transistor0203, back-biasing and rendering it non-conductive, deenergizing relaysK4 and K5, and stopping the tape.

The above-described sequence of fast forwardstop-run-to-cue-stop" iscompletely automatic and initiated simply by momentarily closing fastforward switch SW4.

READYING THE APPARATUS FOR PLAY Placing a cassette 60 in play positionas shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 displaces plunger 308, simultaneously closingswitches SW1 and SW6. SW6 starts capstan motor 44 through conductors(not shown) to rotate capstan 40 at constant speed. Because gatetransistor 0203 is normally conductive, being forwardly biased asdescribed, closing SW1 activates the common holding circuit 410 andlights ready lamp 11. The apparatus is now in stop/start mode, ready foroperation by either the start switch SW5, the rewind switch SW3, or thefast forward/scanning switch SW4, provided the tape when last used wasrewound to the beginning.

PLAY MODE Momentary closing of switch SW5 places the apparatus in playmode. This energizes play relay K4. Main play solenoid 170 and play lampI4 are energized by connection to ground through contacts and 16 ofrelay K4, contacts 14 and 15 of relays K3 and K2, and switch SW1. Theaudio attentuator 408 is energized by connection to ground throughcontacts 17 and 18 of relay K6 and contacts 14 and 15 of relays K5, K3and K2, contacts 15 and 16 of relay K4, and switch SW1, thereby enablingamplifier 403 to produce program audio output signals. Contacts 11 and12 of relay K4 open, thereby extinguishing ready lamp ll. Relay K4 isheld energized by the common holding circuit 410 through contacts 9 and10 and contacts 12 and 13 of K4, contacts 8 and 9 of K3, contacts 5 and6 of K2, contacts 8 and 9 of K1, 0203, and SW1. Contacts 6 and 7 of K4close and connect capacitor C106 to a DC power source to store anelectrical charge in it.

During the play mode, the tape moves forward at play speed determined byfrictional engagement with the capstan. The program signal on track B ispicked up by program head 88a to produce the program audio outputgenerated by amplifier 401.

After the tape play to the end of the program, it will move anend-of-program control signal 422 and a primary control signal 420 pastthe control head 88b. The end-of-program control signal will have noeffect on the tape movement, but when the primary control signal isdetected by detector 404, it applies an output grounding signal to thegate transistor 0203, backbiasing it, and rendering it non-conductive;this deenergizes the common holding circuit 410, deenergizes the playrelay K4, and stops the tape at such primary control signal, ready toplay the next recorded program (and stop automatically) in response tothe next momentary closing of switch SW5.

REWIND MODE Momentary closing of switch SW3 places the apparatus inrewind mode. Closing contacts 15 and 16 lights rewind lamp I2 andopening of contacts 8 and 9 extinguish ready lamp 11. The programamplifier 403 is disabled, being turned off by attenuator 404. Anelectrical charge is stored in capacitor C103 by connection to a DCpower source through contacts 12 and 13 of K2. Relay K2 is heldenergized by the common holding circuit 410 through its contacts 6 and7.

Such momentary closing of switch SW3 initiates a completely automaticsequence rewinding the tape to the beginning clear leader and thenmoving it forward either to the end of the beginning clear leader or tothe first primary control signal as selected by the operator. Thisautomatic sequence will now be explained.

Energization of relay K2 starts the rewind torque motor 52 and runs thetape backward at high speed not limited by the capstan. As soon as thebeginning clear leader 400 reaches the light sensor 264, the latter isenergized by the light sourrce 256. An output signal from the lightsensor forward biases the gate 416 rendering it conductive andenergizing the light responsive relay K1. This opens contacts 8 and 9 ofK1, thereby deenergizing the holding circuit 410 for relay K2. K2 thusdeenergizes, stops rewind motor 52 and the tape quickly by means of theelectrodynamic braking means de scribed in connection with FIG. 12.Capacitor C103 begins to discharge through run-to-cue relay K5 viacontacts 11 and 12 of K2, and 15 and 16 of K1, thereby energizing K5,closing its contacts 6 and 7 to energize play relay K4 by groundconnection through transistor 0203. Relay K4 is held by the commonholding circuit 410 through its own closed contacts 9 and 10, and 12 and13. This now establishes a run-to-cue mode and moves the tape forward atplay speed determined by the capstan.

At this stage, the tape will stop automatically at one selected tapebeginning position or another depending on the position of a movablecontact or jumper 428.

If the movable contact 428 is adjusted to engage the contact 430, therun-to-cue relay K will be energized by a connection to ground throughcontacts and 16 of relays K5 and K4, contacts 14 and 15 of relays K3 andK2, and switch SW1. Thus, contact 428 bypasses contacts 12 and 13 of K1.Otherwise, if movable contact 4228 is adjusted to engage the opencontact 432, the same ground connection for the run-to-cue relay K5 willhave to go through contacts 12 and 13 of K1, and K5 will be energizedonly if K1" is energized.

Reverting back to the above-described rewind sequence, to the pointwhere the beginning clear leader 400 is moving forward past the lightsensor 264 at play speed in run-to-cue mode, assume first that jumper428 is connected to contact 430. Both relays K4 and K5 are energized,being held by a holding circuit means which energizes K5 through closedcontacts 15 and 16 of relays K5 and K4 so that even after capacitor C103completes discharging, relays K5 and K4 remain energized through suchholding circuit means, and relay K1 is still energized because thebeginning clear leader is still between the light source 256 and sensor264.

Moments later, the tape runs out of the beginning clear leader and intothe beginning opaque portion, deenergizing relay K1. Relay K4 is heldmomentarily through two holding circuits: through the common holdingcircuit 410; and through the above-mentioned holding circuit meansinvolving closed contacts 15 and 16 of relays K5 and K4.

Next, the beginning opaque portion of the tape runs past the head untilthe first primary control signal reaches the head. Primary controlsignal detector 404 then grounds the base of gate transistor Q203 andblocks the common holding circuit 410 thereby deenergizing relay K4 boththrough the common holding circuit and the auxiliary holding circuit 412through contacts 6 and 7 of K5. This opens contacts 15 and 16 of relayK4, deenergizing the holding circuit means for relay K5, thus stoppingthe tape on the first primary control signal 420.

If, on the other hand, the jumper 428 is adjusted to engage open contact432, the holding circuit for relay K5 during the run-to-cue mode will bethrough closed contacts 12 and 13 of relay Kl as long as the beginningclear leader is moving past the light sensor 264. As soon as thebeginning opaque end of the tape covers the light sensor, relay K1deenergizes and opens its contacts 12 and 13. This deenergizes relay K5,opening its contacts 6 and 7, thereby deenergizing relay K4, before anew hold circuit for the latter can be established through contacts 8and 9 of K1. This completely deenergizes both relays K5 and K4, stoppingthe tape at the end of the beginning clear leader ready to play thefirst program on the tape inresponse to the next closing of play switchSW5.

Thus, once the apparatus has been placed in rewind mode, itautomatically rewinds the tape to the beginning regardless of how therewind mode was initiated.

AUTOMATIC INITlATION OF THE REWIND MODE The rewind mode described in thepreceding section may be initiated automatically either at the end ofthe tape or after playing one of a series of programs on the tape asselected by the operator.

. Automatic rewind may be initiated at the end of the tape either inresponse to the end clear leader, or in response to an end-of-tapecontrol signal 424 recorded thereon. Automatic rewind may be initiatedafter playing any selected program in response to an end-ofprogramcontrol signal 422 when a selector R is appropriatelyadjusted.

As one of the options, this apparatus may be used without theend-of-tape control signal 424, making an end-of-tape control signaldetector 406 unnecessary. In the absence of such an end-of-tape controlsignal, ad-

10 justment of the movable contactor or jumper 434 in the selector Rdetermines how automatic rewind will be initiated.

By adjusting the movable contact 434 to engage open contact 438,automatic rewind is initiated at the end of the tape.

Assume contact 434 is adjusted to engage contact 438. Assume furtherthat the apparatus is in. play mode, playing the end program on thetape. Relay K4 is, of course, energized and capacitor C106 is chargedthrough closed contacts 6 and 7 of relay K4 as explained above. Afterplay of the end program is completed, tape continues to move, firstpassing through the last end-of-program control signal 422 with noeffect other than to cause the detector 405 to detect the signal andenergize relay K6 to close its contacts 12 and 13 for the duration ofthat signal. This is indicated at the combination power andend-of-program lamp 15 by increase in illumination when it isdirect-connected to a DC power source, bypassing resistor R113 (normallylamp 15 is at a low level illumination energized through R113 merely toindicate that power is on). Next, the end clear leader 402 reaches thelight sensor 264. The photosensitive relay K1 is energized by the lightsensor and opens the holding circuit for the play relay K4 at contacts 8and 9 of K1, thereby deenergizing the play relay K4 and the forwardtorque motor 54 to stop the tape. Stopping is accelerated by theelectrodynamic braking means previously described. The capacitor C106,which was charged while the play relay K4 was energized, then dischargesthrough closed contacts 6 and 7 of relay K1. Capacitor C106 dischargesthrough the rewind relay K2, energizing it and charging capacitor C108.Capacitor C103 starts to charge by connection to a direct current powersource through closed contacts 12 and 13 by relay K2. Tape then startsto rewind back toward the end opaque portion.

Next, the tape rewinds to the opaque magnetic portion, deenergizingphotosensitive relay Kl. For a very short period of time, beforecontacts 8 and 9 of relay K1 close to establish a holding circuit forrelay K2 through the common holding circuit 410, relay K2 is keptenergized by the charge stored in capacitor C108. It will be understoodthat capacitor C108 may not be required in every instance but may beemployed as a useful safety feature to prevent contacts 6 and 7 of relayK2 from opening before contacts 8 and 9 of relay K1 close when K1 isdeenergized.

At this point the rewind mode is established with rewind relay K2 beingheld energized through the common holding circuit 410. The ensuingautomatic sequence which rewinds the tape back to the beginning andstops it either at'the end of the beginning clear leader or at the firstprimary control signal, is the same as described above under the headingRewind Mode.

If the movable contact 434 of selector R is adjusted to engage the openstationary contact 436, operation will be as follows. Assume theapparatus is in play mode, playing one of a series of programs in themiddle of the tape. As stated above, the play relay K4 will be energizedand capacitor C106 will be charged. When the tape reaches the end of theprogram, it will move on at play speed to the end-of-program signal onthe tape immediately following the program just played. At that time theend-of-program control signal detector 405 will detect theend-of-program control signal and will ground the base of transistorQ204 which in turn will forwardly bias the transistor Q205, rendering itconductive and energizing end-of-program control signal relay K6. Thiscloses contacts 6 and 7 of relay K6, connecting capacitor C107 to adirect current power source through contacts 17 and 18 of relay K5. Thisstores a charge in capacitor C107. At the same time, the power andend-of-program signal lamp l increases in intensity due to the closingof contacts 12 and 13, indicating the end-of-program signal. The programaudio output from amplifier 403 is disabled during the endof-programcontrol signal, by opening contacts 17 and 18 of relay K6. Next, theend-of-program signal terminates, deenergizing relay K6, and connectingcontacts 5 and 6 of relay K6 enabling capacitor C107 to dischargedirectly through rewind relay K2. This then locks rewind relay K2energized; through the common holding circuit 410 and starts the rewindmode described above.

The third option for automatically rewinding the tape utilizes theend-of-tape control signal 424 recorded between the last program and theend clear leader 402. The selector R will be turned off, that is themovable contact 434 will be engaged with the open contact 438.

Upon completion of play of the last program, the tape will continue tomove forward at play speed until the end-of-tape control signal 424reaches the control head 88b. The end-of-tape control signal will bedetected by the detector 406 and will generate an output signalresulting in grounding the base of transistor 0206; this, in turn willforward bias the inverting transistor Q207, rendering same conductiveand energizing the rewind relay K2. This will place the apparatus in theautomatic rewind sequence described above.

FAST FORWARD AND SCANNING MODES The apparatus may be placed in fastforward mode, to skip one recorded program and automatically stop at thenext primary control signal ready to play the next program, bymomentarily closing fast forward switch SW4.

The apparatus may be placed in scanning mode by holding the fast [6switch SW4 closed, to quickly traverse the tape in a forward directionwhile counting the illuminations of cue lamp 16 to monitor the programs.

First and fast forward mode will be described.

To avoid unnecessary duplication, the detailed operation of the broadband detector 407 durig the fast forward mode will not be described,because this has already been done in the foregoing description of thebroad band detector 407. Briefly, momentary closing of the fast forwardswitch SW4 activates the broad band detector by grounding the diodeCR206. This also energizes fast forward relay K3 which is then heldenergized through the common holding circuit 410. Fast forward lamp [3lights on closing contacts and 16 of K3. The fast forward solenoid 172is energized to move the support for the pinch roller 86 and head means88 through only a partial stroke, enabling the control head the program,and the end-of-program control 422 signal is detected by the broad banddetector 407, there is a first output signal generated by transistorQ209 which is translated by the broad band detector into first andsecond output signal compo nents. The first output signal component,from the collector of transistor Q210, back-biases the gate transistorQ203, blocking it, and deenergizing the common holding circuit 410 andthe relay K3, thereby stopping the tape. At the termination of thisfirst output signal component, the gate transistor 0203 is returned toits normally forward-biased condition, at which time the second outputsignal component, from the collector of transistor Q211, energizes therun-to-cue relay K5, which in turn energizes the relay K4, placing theapparatus in run-to-cue mode in which it runs forward at play speeduntil the primary control signal for the next succeeding program isreached at which time the primary control signal detector 404 generatesa second output signal which blocks gate transistor 0203 and deenergizesthe common holding circuit 410 and relays K4 and K5, stopping the tape.

Next, the scanning mode will be described.

If the fast forward switch SW4 is held closed, the fast forward relay K3is held energized and the tape moves continuously forward. Each time agroup of control signals between recorded programs pass the control head88b, a second output signal component from the collector of transistorQ211 will momentarily actuate the run-to-cue relay K5, and close itscontacts 18 and 19, thereby illuminating the cue lamp 16. In addition,an audible signal generator (not shown) may be connected in parallelwith the lamp I6 so an operator can monitor the control signals bothvisually and audibly. Thus, by counting flashes of the cue lamp, with orwithout audible signals, or by counting pulses from the controlcircuitry by other apparatus or means, the number and location of theprograms on the tape can be selected automatically. If, for example,there are 30 cuts or programs on a tape, separated by control signals,and it is desired to reach one intermediate the tape quickly, it isnecessary only to hold the fast forwad switch SW4 closed and count theflashes of the cue light until the desired program is reached. Use ofthe cue light signal in counting in either forward or rewind directionsis advantageous because it enables digital counter controls (not shown)to be incorporated into the apparatus where a fully automated controlsystem is required.

In summary, the reproducing apparatus of the present invention providesa high degree of versatility and time saving for the operator orengineer by the auto matic sequence capabilities built into it. Thecircuit is conditioned for automatic operation by closing main switchSW1. Momentarily closing play switch SW5 automatically plays one programand stops at the next primary control or cue tone ready to play the nextprogram. Momentarily closing rewind switch SW3 places the apparatus inrewind mode in which it automatically rewinds to the beginning of thetape and stops at the end of the beginning clear leader if jumper 428 isopen, or at the first primary control tone on the tape if the jumper isclosed. Momentarily closing fast forward switch SW4 places it in fastforward mode in which it moves the tape forward at high speed with theaudio off and stops it at the next primary control signal ready to playthe next program. Holding the switch SW4 closed places it in scanningmode to move the tape forward continuously at high speed enabling theoperator to monitor the tape by illuminations of the cue lamp l6 andquickly select a particular program ready for play. Three automaticsequences are available for initiating the rewind mode: if anend-of-tape control signal 424 is used with detector 406, it willautomatically go into rewind mode at the end-of-tape signal; if the taperuns at play speed into the end-of-tape clear leader 402, itautomatically goes into rewind mode; and, if the jumper 434 of selectorR closed, it will go into rewind mode automatically after playing anyselected single program.

While one form in which the present invention may be embodied has beenshown and described, it will be understood that various modificationsand variations thereof may be effected without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

I. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, tape drivemeans for moving said tape past a transducing head, automatic sequencecontrol means comprising:

a detector connected to said transducing head including means fordetecting a control signal when the tape is moved past it;

tape drive control means including stop means for deenergizing said tapedrive means to stop said tape in response to detection of a controlsignal, and means. responsive to energization of said tape drive meansto initiate tape movement for disabling 1 said stop means for sufficienttime period to enable the tape to move, beyond said head, a residualcontrol signal at which movement of the tape was initiated.

2. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, tape drivemeans for moving the tape past a transducing head, tape drive controlmeans for said tape drive means selectively actuatable to move the tapeat a constant forward speed and at a fast forward speed faster than saidconstant forward speed, automatic sequence control means comprising:

means for actuating said tape drive control means to initiate movementof the tape at said fast forward speed; and

control signal detector means connected between said transducing headand said tape drive control means effective to generate a first outputsignal in' response to detection of a control sin gal at said fastforward speed, and effective to generate a second output signal inresponse to detection of a control signal at said constant forwardspeed;

said tape drive control means being effective in response to said firstoutput signal to change movement of the tape from fast forward speed toconstant forward speed, and said tape drive control means beingeffective in response to said second output signal to deenergize saidtape drive menas and stop the tape.

3. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means accordingto claim 2 having means oper able upon initiation of fast forwardmovement of the tape for delaying response of said tape drive controlmeans to a control signal for sufficient time to enable the tape to movebeyond a residual control signal at which fast forward movement of thetape was initiated.

4. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means accordingto claim 2 having means for temporarily deenergizing said tape drivemeans in response to said first output signal for a sufficient time toenable said tape to come to a complete stop before subsequent movementat said constant forward speed.

5. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means accordingto claim 2 having means responsive to initiation of fast forwardmovement of the tape for activating said control signal detector meansto generate said first output signal in response to detection of acontrol signal at said fast forward speed.

6. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, tape drivemeans for moving the tape past a transducing head, automatic sequencecontrol means comprising:

tape drive control means including a constant forward speed relayeffective when energized to energize said tape drive means to move thetape at a constant forward speed, a fast forward speed relay effectivewhen energized to energize said tape drive means to move the tape at afast forward speed faster than said constant forward speed, fast forwardswitch means connecting said fast forward speed relay to an electricalpower source for initiating fast forward movement of the tape, a holdingcircuit for said relays, and a gate connecting said holding circuit toan electrical power source; control signal detector means connectedbetween said transducing head and said tape drive control meanseffective to generate a first output signal in 7 response to detectionofa control signal at said fast forward speed, and effective to generatea second output signal in response to detection of a control signal atsaid constant forward speed; said tape drive control means having meansresponsive to said first output signal to temporarily block said gateand disconnect said holding circuit from said electrical power source todeenergize said fast forward speed relay, and to energize said constantspeed relay and lock it through said holding circuit, thereby changingtape movement from fast forward a speed to constant forward speed; and

said tape drive control means having means responsive to said secondoutput signal to block said gate and disconnect said holding circuitfrom said electrical power source to deenergize said constant forwardspeed relay, thereby stopping tape movement.

7. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, andelectric motor powered means for moving the tape past a transducinghead, automatic sequence control means comprising:

a drive control circuit including a play relay effective when energizedto place said apparatus in a play mode in' which the motor powered meansis energized by an electrical power source to drive the tape past thehead at a forward play speed, a fast forward speed relay effective whenenergized to place said apparatus in a fast forward mode in which themotor powered means is energized by the electrical power source to drivethe tape past the head at a fast forward speed faster than said forwardplay speed;

a holding circuit for said relays connected to said electrical powersource through a gate which becomes non-conductive in response to ablocking signal, either of said relays being unlocked from said holdingcircuitin response to energization of the other relay;

a fast forward switch connected between said elecrical power source andsaid fast forward relay effective when actuated to energize said fastforward relay to initiate said fast forward mode;

control signal detector means including a broad band detector connectedbetween the transducing head and the drive control circuit effective togenerate a first output signal, having two successive output signalcomponents, in response to detection of a control signal during fastforward mode, means for applying the first of said successive outputsignal components to block said gate for a predetermined time period, tothereby automatically deenergize the holding circuit and the fastforward relay, and enable said tape to come to a complete stop withinsaid predetermined time period; means effective after said predeterminedtime period for applying the second of said successive output signalcomponents to automatically energize said play relay and restart thetape at play speed;

said control signal detector means also including a relatively narrowband detector connected between the transducing head and the drivecontrol circuit effective to generate a second output signal in responseto detection of a control signal during play mode, and means forapplying said second output signal to block said gate to automaticallydeenergize the holding circuit and the play relay and stop the tape.

8. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having an intermediateportion with at least one set of recorded program signals and at least abeginning clear leader driven by tape drive means, tape drive controlmeans for connecting said tape drive means to an electrical power sourcefor moving said tape at selected forward and rewind speeds pasttransducing head means, and between a light source and a light sensor,automatic sequence control means comprising:

a play mode circuit including a play relay which when energized placessaid apparatus in play mode to activate said tape drive control means toenergize said tape drive means and move the tape at a forward playspeed;

a rewind mode circuit including a rewind relay which when energizedplaces said apparatus in rewind mode to activate said tape drive controlmeans to energize said tape drive means and move the tape at fast rewindspeed; means for initiating energization of said rewind relay to placesaid apparatus in rewind mode;

means responsive to activation of said sensor by light transmittedthrough said beginning clear leader during tape movement at fast rewindspeed to deenergize said rewind relay and energize said play relay,thereby automatically changing operation from rewind mode to play mode;and

stop means for activating said tape drive control means to deenergizesaid play relay and stop the tape at a predetermined position at thebeginning of the tape following such change from rewind mode to playmode;

whereby said apparatus automatically returns said tape to apredetermined restart position at the beginning of the tape in responseto initiating energization of said rewind relay to place said apparatusin rewind mode.

9. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 8 in which said stop means includesmeans responsive to deactivation of said light sensor by a beginningopaque portion of the tape for activating said tape drive control meansto deenergize said play relay and thereby automatically predeterminesaid restart position at the end of the beginning clear leader.

10. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having a control signalon said tape between the beginning clear leader and the first set ofrecorded program signals, automatic sequence control means according toclaim 8 in which said stop means includes a control signal detectorconnected between said transducing head means and said tape drivecontrol means, and means responsive to detection of said control signalby said control signal detector to deenergize said play relay andthereby automatically predetermine said restart position at said controlsignal.

11. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having a plurality ofsaid sets of recorded program signals and a control signal betweensuccessive sets of program signals, automatic sequence control meansaccording to claim 8 including:

a play switch controlling energization of said play relay by saidelectrical power source;

a control signal detector connected between said transducing head meansand said tape drive control means;

means responsive to detection of each of said control signals by saidcontrol signal detector to deenergize said play relay and stop said tapeand thereby establish a start position for each successive set ofprogram signals;

whereby upon successive actuations of said play switch said apparatusautomatically stops said tape at a start position established by acontrol signal preceeding each successive set of program signals.

12. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 11 having means responsive toinitiation of a play mode by said play switch for delayingdeenergization of said play relay, and consequent stopping of said tape,for a sufficient time to enable said tape to move beyond a residualcontrol signal at which said play mode was initiated.

13. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 8 having:

a capacitor; v

means for storing an electrical charge in said capacitor duringenergization of said rewind relay;

means responsive to said activation of said light sensor at saidbeginning clear leader for applying the charge stored in said capacitorto energize said play relay.

14. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 8 in which said tape has an end clearleader and said means for initiating energization of said rewind relayto place said apparatus in rewind mode in responsive to activation ofsaid sensor by light transmitted through said end clear leader.

15. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 14 having:

a play capacitor, and means for storing an electrical charge in saidplay capacitor in response to energization of the play relay, and meansto apply such stored charge to energize the rewind relay in response toactivation of said sensor by light transmitted through said end clearleader.

16. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having an end-of-tapecontrol signal thereon, automatic sequence control means according toclaim 8 in which said means for initiating energization of said rewindrelay to place said apparatus in rewind mode includes an end-of-tapecontrol signal detector connected between said head means and said tapedrive control means and effective to energize said rewind relay to placesaid apparatus in rewind mode in response to detection of saidend-of-tape control signal.

17. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having a plurality ofrecorded program signals and an end-of-program control signal recordedfollowing each program signal, automatic sequence control meansaccording to claim 8 in which said means for initiating energization ofsaid rewind relay to place said apparatus in rewind mode includes anend-of-program control signal detector connected between said head meansand said tape drive control means and effective to energize said rewindrelay to place said apparatus in rewind mode in response to detection ofan end-of-program control signal.

18, In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 17 having:

an end-to-program capacitor, and means for storing an electrical chargein the end-of-program capacitor in response to detection of anend-of-program control signal on the tape; and

means to apply such charge stored in said end-ofprogram capacitor toenergize the rewind relay in response to termination of saidend-of-program control signal,

19. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having at least one endclear leader and tape drive means for moving said tape in oppositedirections between a light source and a light sensor, automatic sequencecontrol means comprising:

tape drive control means;

means for initiating movement of said tape in one direction to move saidclear leader toward said light source and sensor;

a capacitor, and means for storing an electrical charge in saidcapacitor while said tape is driven in said one direction;

mean-s responsive to activation of said light sensor on movement of saidclear leader thereto, to deenergize said tape drive means and stopmovement of said tape in said one direction; and means responsive to sodeenergizing said tape drive means to apply the stored electrical chargefrom said capacitor to said tape drive control means to thereby energizesaid tape drive means to move said tape in the opposite direction.

20. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having beginning andend clear leaders and an opaque intermediate portion, tape drive meansfor moving said tape at selected forward and rewind speeds pasttransducing head means, between a pinch roller and a rotatably drivencapstan, and between a light source and a light sensor, automaticsequence control means comprising:

tape drive control means including play and rewind relays effective whenenergized to activate said tape drive means to move said tape inopposite directions respectively;

a first capacitor, and means for storing an electrical charge thereinwhile said play relay is energized to move the end clear leader towardsaid light source and sensor;

means responsive to activation of said light sensor, on movement of saidend clear leader thereto, to deenergize said play relay and stop theforward movement of the tape;

means responsive to so deenergizing and play relay to apply the storedelectrical charge from said first capacitor to said rewind relay, tothereby energize said tape drive means to move said tape in rewinddirection; I

a second capacitor, and means for storing an electrical charge thereinwhile said rewind relay is energized to move the beginning clear leadertoward said light source and sensor;

means responsive to activation of said light sensor, on movement of saidbeginning clear leader thereto, to deenergize said rewind relay and stopthe rewind movement of the tape;

means responsive so deenergizing said rewind relay to apply the storedelectrical charge from said second capacitor to said play relay tothereby reenergize said tape drive means to move said tape in forwarddirection; and

stop means for deenergizing the play relay to deenergize the tape drivemeans and stop the tape at a predetermined beginning position.

21. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, tape drivemeans selectively energizable in fast forward mode or forward play modeto move said tape past a transducing head at constant forward speed orat fast forward speed respectively, automatic sequence control meanscomprising:

control signal detector means connected to said head;

means for activating said detectormeans in response to initiation offast forward movement of said tape;

control means for said tape drive means effective in response todetection of said controlsignals by said detector means to change tapespeed from fast forward speed to constant forward speed and then stopthe tape.

22. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means accordingto claim 21 in which said control means is effective to bring tapemovement to a

1. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, tape drivemeans for moving said tape past a transducing head, automatic sequencecontrol means comprising: a detector connected to said transducing headincluding means for detecting a control signal when the tape is movedpast it; tape drive contrOl means including stop means for deenergizingsaid tape drive means to stop said tape in response to detection of acontrol signal, and means responsive to energization of said tape drivemeans to initiate tape movement for disabling said stop means forsufficient time period to enable the tape to move, beyond said head, aresidual control signal at which movement of the tape was initiated. 2.In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having discreteprogram-identifying control signals at intervals therealong, tape drivemeans for moving the tape past a transducing head, tape drive controlmeans for said tape drive means selectively actuatable to move the tapeat a constant forward speed and at a fast forward speed faster than saidconstant forward speed, automatic sequence control means comprising:means for actuating said tape drive control means to initiate movementof the tape at said fast forward speed; and control signal detectormeans connected between said transducing head and said tape drivecontrol means effective to generate a first output signal in response todetection of a control singal at said fast forward speed, and effectiveto generate a second output signal in response to detection of a controlsignal at said constant forward speed; said tape drive control meansbeing effective in response to said first output signal to changemovement of the tape from fast forward speed to constant forward speed,and said tape drive control means being effective in response to saidsecond output signal to deenergize said tape drive menas and stop thetape.
 3. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control meansaccording to claim 2 having means operable upon initiation of fastforward movement of the tape for delaying response of said tape drivecontrol means to a control signal for sufficient time to enable the tapeto move beyond a residual control signal at which fast forward movementof the tape was initiated.
 4. In reproducing apparatus, automaticsequence control means according to claim 2 having means for temporarilydeenergizing said tape drive means in response to said first outputsignal for a sufficient time to enable said tape to come to a completestop before subsequent movement at said constant forward speed.
 5. Inreproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means according toclaim 2 having means responsive to initiation of fast forward movementof the tape for activating said control signal detector means togenerate said first output signal in response to detection of a controlsignal at said fast forward speed.
 6. In reproducing apparatus for amagnetic tape having discrete program-identifying control signals atintervals therealong, tape drive means for moving the tape past atransducing head, automatic sequence control means comprising: tapedrive control means including a constant forward speed relay effectivewhen energized to energize said tape drive means to move the tape at aconstant forward speed, a fast forward speed relay effective whenenergized to energize said tape drive means to move the tape at a fastforward speed faster than said constant forward speed, fast forwardswitch means connecting said fast forward speed relay to an electricalpower source for initiating fast forward movement of the tape, a holdingcircuit for said relays, and a gate connecting said holding circuit toan electrical power source; control signal detector means connectedbetween said transducing head and said tape drive control meanseffective to generate a first output signal in response to detection ofa control signal at said fast forward speed, and effective to generate asecond output signal in response to detection of a control signal atsaid constant forward speed; said tape drive control means having meansresponsive to said first output signal to temporarily block said gateand disconnect said holding circuit from said electrical power source todeenergize said fast forward speed relay, and to Energize said constantspeed relay and lock it through said holding circuit, thereby changingtape movement from fast forward speed to constant forward speed; andsaid tape drive control means having means responsive to said secondoutput signal to block said gate and disconnect said holding circuitfrom said electrical power source to deenergize said constant forwardspeed relay, thereby stopping tape movement.
 7. In reproducing apparatusfor a magnetic tape having discrete program-identifying control signalsat intervals therealong, and electric motor powered means for moving thetape past a transducing head, automatic sequence control meanscomprising: a drive control circuit including a play relay effectivewhen energized to place said apparatus in a play mode in which the motorpowered means is energized by an electrical power source to drive thetape past the head at a forward play speed, a fast forward speed relayeffective when energized to place said apparatus in a fast forward modein which the motor powered means is energized by the electrical powersource to drive the tape past the head at a fast forward speed fasterthan said forward play speed; a holding circuit for said relaysconnected to said electrical power source through a gate which becomesnon-conductive in response to a blocking signal, either of said relaysbeing unlocked from said holding circuit in response to energization ofthe other relay; a fast forward switch connected between said elecricalpower source and said fast forward relay effective when actuated toenergize said fast forward relay to initiate said fast forward mode;control signal detector means including a broad band detector connectedbetween the transducing head and the drive control circuit effective togenerate a first output signal, having two successive output signalcomponents, in response to detection of a control signal during fastforward mode, means for applying the first of said successive outputsignal components to block said gate for a predetermined time period, tothereby automatically deenergize the holding circuit and the fastforward relay, and enable said tape to come to a complete stop withinsaid predetermined time period; means effective after said predeterminedtime period for applying the second of said successive output signalcomponents to automatically energize said play relay and restart thetape at play speed; said control signal detector means also including arelatively narrow band detector connected between the transducing headand the drive control circuit effective to generate a second outputsignal in response to detection of a control signal during play mode,and means for applying said second output signal to block said gate toautomatically deenergize the holding circuit and the play relay and stopthe tape.
 8. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having anintermediate portion with at least one set of recorded program signalsand at least a beginning clear leader driven by tape drive means, tapedrive control means for connecting said tape drive means to anelectrical power source for moving said tape at selected forward andrewind speeds past transducing head means, and between a light sourceand a light sensor, automatic sequence control means comprising: a playmode circuit including a play relay which when energized places saidapparatus in play mode to activate said tape drive control means toenergize said tape drive means and move the tape at a forward playspeed; a rewind mode circuit including a rewind relay which whenenergized places said apparatus in rewind mode to activate said tapedrive control means to energize said tape drive means and move the tapeat fast rewind speed; means for initiating energization of said rewindrelay to place said apparatus in rewind mode; means responsive toactivation of said sensor by light transmitted through said beginningclear leader during tape movement at fast rewind speed to deeneRgizesaid rewind relay and energize said play relay, thereby automaticallychanging operation from rewind mode to play mode; and stop means foractivating said tape drive control means to deenergize said play relayand stop the tape at a predetermined position at the beginning of thetape following such change from rewind mode to play mode; whereby saidapparatus automatically returns said tape to a predetermined restartposition at the beginning of the tape in response to initiatingenergization of said rewind relay to place said apparatus in rewindmode.
 9. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automaticsequence control means according to claim 8 in which said stop meansincludes means responsive to deactivation of said light sensor by abeginning opaque portion of the tape for activating said tape drivecontrol means to deenergize said play relay and thereby automaticallypredetermine said restart position at the end of the beginning clearleader.
 10. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having acontrol signal on said tape between the beginning clear leader and thefirst set of recorded program signals, automatic sequence control meansaccording to claim 8 in which said stop means includes a control signaldetector connected between said transducing head means and said tapedrive control means, and means responsive to detection of said controlsignal by said control signal detector to deenergize said play relay andthereby automatically predetermine said restart position at said controlsignal.
 11. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having aplurality of said sets of recorded program signals and a control signalbetween successive sets of program signals, automatic sequence controlmeans according to claim 8 including: a play switch controllingenergization of said play relay by said electrical power source; acontrol signal detector connected between said transducing head meansand said tape drive control means; means responsive to detection of eachof said control signals by said control signal detector to deenergizesaid play relay and stop said tape and thereby establish a startposition for each successive set of program signals; whereby uponsuccessive actuations of said play switch said apparatus automaticallystops said tape at a start position established by a control signalpreceeding each successive set of program signals.
 12. In reproducingapparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequence control meansaccording to claim 11 having means responsive to initiation of a playmode by said play switch for delaying deenergization of said play relay,and consequent stopping of said tape, for a sufficient time to enablesaid tape to move beyond a residual control signal at which said playmode was initiated.
 13. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape,automatic sequence control means according to claim 8 having: acapacitor; means for storing an electrical charge in said capacitorduring energization of said rewind relay; means responsive to saidactivation of said light sensor at said beginning clear leader forapplying the charge stored in said capacitor to energize said playrelay.
 14. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automaticsequence control means according to claim 8 in which said tape has anend clear leader and said means for initiating energization of saidrewind relay to place said apparatus in rewind mode in responsive toactivation of said sensor by light transmitted through said end clearleader.
 15. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automaticsequence control means according to claim 14 having: a play capacitor,and means for storing an electrical charge in said play capacitor inresponse to energization of the play relay, and means to apply suchstored charge to energize the rewind relay in response to activation ofsaid sensor by light transmitted through said end clear leader.
 16. Inreproducing apparatus for a Magnetic tape having an end-of-tape controlsignal thereon, automatic sequence control means according to claim 8 inwhich said means for initiating energization of said rewind relay toplace said apparatus in rewind mode includes an end-of-tape controlsignal detector connected between said head means and said tape drivecontrol means and effective to energize said rewind relay to place saidapparatus in rewind mode in response to detection of said end-of-tapecontrol signal.
 17. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape havinga plurality of recorded program signals and an end-of-program controlsignal recorded following each program signal, automatic sequencecontrol means according to claim 8 in which said means for initiatingenergization of said rewind relay to place said apparatus in rewind modeincludes an end-of-program control signal detector connected betweensaid head means and said tape drive control means and effective toenergize said rewind relay to place said apparatus in rewind mode inresponse to detection of an end-of-program control signal.
 18. Inreproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape, automatic sequence controlmeans according to claim 17 having: an end-to-program capacitor, andmeans for storing an electrical charge in the end-of-program capacitorin response to detection of an end-of-program control signal on thetape; and means to apply such charge stored in said end-of-programcapacitor to energize the rewind relay in response to termination ofsaid end-of-program control signal.
 19. In reproducing apparatus for amagnetic tape having at least one end clear leader and tape drive meansfor moving said tape in opposite directions between a light source and alight sensor, automatic sequence control means comprising: tape drivecontrol means; means for initiating movement of said tape in onedirection to move said clear leader toward said light source and sensor;a capacitor, and means for storing an electrical charge in saidcapacitor while said tape is driven in said one direction; meansresponsive to activation of said light sensor on movement of said clearleader thereto, to deenergize said tape drive means and stop movement ofsaid tape in said one direction; and means responsive to so deenergizingsaid tape drive means to apply the stored electrical charge from saidcapacitor to said tape drive control means to thereby energize said tapedrive means to move said tape in the opposite direction.
 20. Inreproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape having beginning and end clearleaders and an opaque intermediate portion, tape drive means for movingsaid tape at selected forward and rewind speeds past transducing headmeans, between a pinch roller and a rotatably driven capstan, andbetween a light source and a light sensor, automatic sequence controlmeans comprising: tape drive control means including play and rewindrelays effective when energized to activate said tape drive means tomove said tape in opposite directions respectively; a first capacitor,and means for storing an electrical charge therein while said play relayis energized to move the end clear leader toward said light source andsensor; means responsive to activation of said light sensor, on movementof said end clear leader thereto, to deenergize said play relay and stopthe forward movement of the tape; means responsive to so deenergizingand play relay to apply the stored electrical charge from said firstcapacitor to said rewind relay to thereby energize said tape drive meansto move said tape in rewind direction; a second capacitor, and means forstoring an electrical charge therein while said rewind relay isenergized to move the beginning clear leader toward said light sourceand sensor; means responsive to activation of said light sensor, onmovement of said beginning clear leader thereto, to deenergize saidrewind relay and stop the rewind movement of the tape; means responsiveso deenergizing sAid rewind relay to apply the stored electrical chargefrom said second capacitor to said play relay to thereby reenergize saidtape drive means to move said tape in forward direction; and stop meansfor deenergizing the play relay to deenergize the tape drive means andstop the tape at a predetermined beginning position.
 21. In reproducingapparatus for a magnetic tape having discrete program-identifyingcontrol signals at intervals therealong, tape drive means selectivelyenergizable in fast forward mode or forward play mode to move said tapepast a transducing head at constant forward speed or at fast forwardspeed respectively, automatic sequence control means comprising: controlsignal detector means connected to said head; means for activating saiddetector means in response to initiation of fast forward movement ofsaid tape; control means for said tape drive means effective in responseto detection of said control signals by said detector means to changetape speed from fast forward speed to constant forward speed and thenstop the tape.
 22. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence controlmeans according to claim 21 in which said control means is effective tobring tape movement to a complete stop before changing to constantforward speed.
 23. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape havingdiscrete program-identifying control signals recorded thereon, tapedrive means for moving said tape past a transducing head, and controlsignal detector means connected to said head, automatic sequence controlmeans comprising: a scanning mode circuit having a fast forward switchcontrolling electrical energization of a fast forward relay includingmeans responsive to continuous closure of the fast forward switch toenergize the fast forward relay and thereby place the apparatus inscanning mode in which said tape drive means moves said tape at fastforward speed continuously through successive control signals; playmonitoring means responsive to said continuous closure of the fastforward switch to monitor said control signals to locate programsassociated therewith; and means to deenergize said fast forward relayand terminate said scanning mode in response to opening said fastforward switch.
 24. In reproducing apparatus, automatic sequence controlmeans according to claim 23 in which said monitoring means is anindicator lamp and means for illuminating same in response to saidcontrol signals to enable visual monitoring of said signals.
 25. Inreproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means according toclaim 23 in which said monitoring means is an audible indicator andmeans for actuating same in response to said control signals to enablesound monitoring of said signals.
 26. In reproducing apparatus for amagnetic tape having opposite terminal portions wound on reels driven bytorque motor means, motor control means for connecting said torque motormeans to an electrical power source actuatable to move said tape past atransducing head and between a pinch roller and a rotatably drivencapstan, said tape having spaced, discrete program-identifying controlsignals, and control signal detector means for generating output signalsin response to said control signals, automatic sequence control meanscomprising: a scanning mode circuit having a fast forward switchcontrolling electrical energization of a fast forward relay; meansresponsive to continuous closure of said fast forward switch to holdsaid fast forward relay energized and said apparatus in a scanning modeto thereby energize said torque motor means to move the tape at fastforward speed past said head while said fast forward switch is heldclosed; and means for monitoring said output signals to locate programson said tape; and means responsive to opening said fast forward switchto thereby deenergize said torque motor means and stop said tape ondetection of the next said output signal.
 27. In reproducing apparatus,automatic sequence contRol means according to claim 26 having: a fastforward mode circuit including a holding circuit for said fast forwardrelay; and means responsive to momentarily closing said fast forwardswitch to hold said fast forward relay energized through said holdingcircuit and hold said apparatus in a fast forward mode to therebyenergize said torque motor means to move the tape at a fast forwardspeed and activates said control signal detector means to automaticallyrender said fast forward relay holding circuit non-conductive anddeenergize said fast forward relay and terminate said fast forward modein response to detection of a next succeeding control signal.
 28. Inreproducing apparatus, automatic sequence control means according toclaim 27 having: a play mode circuit including a play relay effectivewhen energized to move said tape at forward play speed less than saidfast forward speed; means responsive to momentarily closing said fastforward switch to activate said control signal detector means togenerate a first output signal in response to detection of a controlsignal during fast forward movement of the tape; means responsive tosaid first output signal to deenergize said fast forward relay and saidtorque motor means for a predetermined time period sufficient to enablesaid tape to come to a complete stop; and other means responsive to saidfirst output signal to energize said play relay subsequent to saidpredetermined time period to restart said tape at forward play speed;said control signal detector means including means for generating asecond output signal in response to detection of a control signal duringforward play movement of the tape; and means responsive to said secondoutput signal to deenergize said play relay and thereby deenergize saidtorque motor means and stop said tape.
 29. In reproducing apparatus fora magnetic tape having discrete program-identifying control signalsincluding primary and end-of-message control signals respectivelypreceding and following at least one recorded program, automaticsequence control means according to claim 28 in which: said controlsignal detector means includes a broad band detector and a relativelynarrow band detector; said broad band detector when activated generatingsaid first output signal in response to detection of either of saidprimary and end-of-message control signals at any operating tape speed;and said narrow band detector when activated generating said secondoutput signal in response to detection of a primary control signal whenthe tape is driven at forward play speed.
 30. In reproducing apparatusfor a magnetic tape having a series of recorded programs respectivelyfollowed and preceded by end-of-program and primary control signals,tape drive means for moving said tape past a transducing head, means foractuating said tape drive means to move said tape selectively atconstant forward speed and fast forward speed in response toenergization of plaly and fast forward relays respectively, automaticsequence control means comprising: means including a holding circuit forselectively connecting said play and fast forward relay through anormally-open gate to an electrical power source; broad band and narrowband detectors connected to said head; means responsive to detection ofan end-of-program control signal by said broad band detector duringmovement of the tape at fast forward speed to generate a first outputcontrol signal having first and second time-spaced output signalcomponents; means responsive to said first output signal component toblock said gate and open said holding circuit to deenergize said fastforward relay and stop the tape; a run-to-cue relay; means forconnecting said play relay to the output terminal of said gate throughsaid holding circuit in response to energizing said run-to-cue relay tothereby energize said play relay from said electrical source undercontrol of said gate; means respOnsive to said second output signalcomponent to energize said run-to-cue relay to thereby energize saidplay relay to restart said tape at constant forward speed; and meansresponsive to detection of a primary control signal by said narrow banddetector during movement of the tape at constant forward speed to blocksaid gate and open said holding circuit to deenergize said play relayand restop the tape.
 31. In reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tapehaving at least a beginning clear leader and at least one central signalbeyond the clear leader, tape drive means for moving the tape past atransducing head between a light source and a light sensor, means foractivating said tape drive means to move said tape selectively inforward and rewind directions in response to energization of play andrewind relays respectively, automatic sequence control means comprising:a main holding circuit for connecting said play and rewind relays to anelectrical power source through a normally-open gate; means forinitiating energization of said rewind relay; means for storing anelectricl charge in a capacitor during energization of said rewindrelay; a run-to-cue relay effective when energized to energize said playrelay through an auxiliary circuit connected to said electrical powersource through said gate; means responsive to rewind movement of saidclear leader to said light sensor to: open said main holding circuitthereby deenergizing said rewind relay and stopping said tape; apply thecharge in said capacitor to said run-to-cue relay thereby initiatingenergization of said play relay through said auxiliary circuit; andconnect said run-to-cue relay directly to said electrical power sourcethrough said run-to-cue holding circuit; means responsive to forwardmovement of the end of said clear leader to said light sensor todisconnect said capacitor from said run-to-cue relay, and to energizesaid play relay through said main holding circuit controlled by saidgate; and means responsive to detection of said control signal duringforward movement beyond the end of said clear leader to block said gate,deenergize and play relay, and stop said tape.
 32. In reproducingapparatus for a magnetic tape having beginning and end clear leaders andan opaque intermediate magnetic portion for at least one recordedprogram preceded and followed by primary and end-of-program controlsignals respectively, tape drive means for driving said tape at selectedforward and rewind speeds past transducing head means, and between alight source and a light sensor, automatic sequence control meanscomprising: a play relay, and means for energizing the play relay toenergize the tape drive means to move the tape at forward play speedthereby placing the apparatus in play mode; a fast forward relay, andmeans including a fast forward switch connected to an electrical powersource for energizing the fast forward relay to energize the tape drivemeans to move the tape at foast forward speed; a rewind relay, and meansfor energizing the rewind relay to energize the tape drive means to movethe tape at rewind speed, thereby placing the apparatus in rewind mode;a run-to-cue relay which, when energized, is effective to energize saidplay relay, thereby placing the apparatus in run-to-cue mode; anend-of-program control signal detector connected between anend-of-program relay and said transducing head means, means forenergizing said end-of-program relay in response to detection of anend-of-program control signal on said tape, and means for energizingsaid play relay in response to energizing said end-of-program relay; aholding circuit for said play, fast forward and rewind relays connectedthrough a normally-open gate to an electrical power source; a primarycontrol signal detector connected between said gate and said transducinghead means, means for blocking said gate to deactivate said holdingcircuit in response to detection of a Primary control signal on saidtape to automatically deenergize any relay energized by said holdingcircuit; means responsive to momentary actuation of said fast forwardswitch to hold said fast forward relay energized by said holding circuitthereby placing said apparatus in fast forward mode until tape movementis stopped at the next primary control signal by blocking said gate anddeactivating said holding circuit; means responsive to holding said fastforward switch actuated to override the blocking of said gate by primarycontrol signals and maintain movement of said tape at fast forwardspeed, and means to monitor said control signals on the tape, therebyplacing the apparatus in scanning mode while said fast forward switch isheld actuated; means for automatically placing said apparatus in rewindmode in response to movement of the end clear leader between said lightsource and light sensor while in play mode; alternate means, effectivewhen activated, to place said apparatus in rewind mode in response todetection of an end-of-program signal during play mode; means forautomatically placing said apparatus in run-to-cue mode in response tomovement of the beginning clear leader between said light source andlight sensor while in rewind mode; means for automatically terminatingsaid run-to-cue mode and stopping said tape at the first primary controlsignal on the tape, by blocking said gate; and alternate means effectivewhen activated, for automatically terminating said run-to-cue mode andstopping said tape at the edge of the beginning clear leader, inresponse to deactivating said light sensor by shielding said lightsensor from said light source by the beginning opaque portion of thetape.